Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft, Vol. 7
By Peter Smith
Round 4: Max Scharping, OT, Northern Illinois – 6-5.875, 327 pounds
Age: 22 (Born Aug. 10, 1996)
40-Yard Dash: DNP
Broad Jump: 108″
Vertical Jump: 28″
3-cone: 7.77s
Shuttle: 4.69s
Bench: 27 reps
The Browns have improved their depth at offensive tackle with the signing of Kendall Lamm, but they need another as they prepare for life after both Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard. If Robinson is great in 2019, they won’t be able to afford him. Mediocre or worse and they won’t want to keep him. Meanwhile, Hubbard is a richly paid average tackle who isn’t likely to get any better.
Lamm appears likely to compete for the right tackle spot this year, but win or lose, he may end up with that job next year as a significantly cheaper option. Meanwhile, the answer to life after Robinson isn’t currently on the roster. Max Scharping has the height, overall size and enough athleticism to be an offensive tackle with a fallback option of guard.
The lack of a 40-yard dash is not ideal and it has more correlation with offensive tackle success than most people are willing to acknowledge. His explosion numbers are good and his agility is fine and he’s shown on tape he can be an effective last tackle.
Although he can play too high at times, Scharping has a ton of power and overall strength. Being more consistent with being able to get his hips involved to fully take advantage of his lower body strength would maximize his power.
In pass protection, Scharping shows the ability to drive catch effectively, covering enough ground to get out quickly while maintaining a strong base, continuing to work to the outside without losing his balance. Becoming consistent and in that particular area will be key to long term success but Baker Mayfield’s style of play has shown to be able to cover for some issues.
Because Mayfield is so confident stepping up in the pocket, finding space to make throws, it makes it so an offensive tackle is free to run a defender past the play because Mayfield will step up and make it so he can’t get sacked. This just means that the offensive tackle can’t get beat inside or through him. Scharping’s overall strength is excellent for that, but again, maximizing his power with proper technique becomes key.
Scharping isn’t as light on his feet as maybe the prototype offensive tackle, but his length and being good as a drive catch blocker and improving that could get him there. The last thing that works in Scharping’s favor as it relates to the Browns is his experience is as a left tackle, which is what they need. It’s not the end of the world if they were to draft someone and flip them, but Scharping is ahead of the game, so it makes him a little more attractive as a prospect.
It’s possible that the Browns might move up a bit to ensure they get him, but a year behind Robinson could give the Browns their left tackle for 2020 and beyond at a fantastic price point.